Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains gives an update on the government's measures to help Canadians with the effects of COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Mar. 20, 2020. Andrew Meade/iPolitics

ALSO TODAY: Budget watchdog to release cost estimates on COVID-19 support programs, updated projections on impact of oil shocks, pandemic

After reopening yesterday afternoon to allow MPs to debate — and eventually sign off on — new COVID-19 support measures for students who aren’t eligible for the emergency benefit — the House of Commons has once again powered down until next week, but the virtual committee circuit is still up and running.

According to the latest postings, no fewer than six remote sessions are set to take place via webcam today, including two ministerial appearances, starting with Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, who is booked in for a one-hour chat with INDUSTRY members. Joining Bains for the opening back-and-forth: deputy minister Simon Kennedy and associate deputy minister Paul Thompson, who will, as per the notice, remain on the line for an additional hour of questioning. (11 AM)

Later today, Kennedy and Thompson are slated for a second online Q&A with the GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS committee, which will also hear from Procurement Ombudsman Alexander Jeglic and senior public services officials. (2 PM)

PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS members will also hold a morning session to continue examining ways of ensuring that MPs can continue to carry out their core parliamentary duties. (11 – 2 PM)

On the witness list for today: A full contingent of procedural experts from Westminster, the National Assembly of Wales and the Scottish Parliament, as well as a trio of retired clerks from the Canadian House and Senate: Gordon Barnhart, Joseph Maingot and Gary O’Brien.

Over at HUMAN RESOURCES, Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen is also expected to outline his government’s ongoing efforts to respond to the pandemic as part of a two-hour meeting that will also feature an update from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation CEO Evan Siddall as well as testimony from senior departmental officials. (5 –7 PM)

Also in the rotation: HEALTH members will hold a panel discussion with representatives from the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences, Genome Canada and VIDO-Intervac (5 – 7 PM) while FINANCE will host a briefing session with senior departmental officials (2 – 4 PM).

ON AND AROUND THE HILL

As part of its ongoing campaign to keep parliamentarians in the loop during the current hiatus, the Parliamentary Budget Office releases its projections on what Canadian Pressnotes are “two of the costliest programs” brought in as part of the ongoing COVID-19 response: The Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, which will likely have a combined tab in the hundreds of millions. (10 AM)

Before unveiling those estimates, the PBO will share its updated projections on the potential economic and fiscal impacts of both the pandemic and the precipitous plunge in oil prices. (9 AM)

Conservative leadership hopeful Derek Sloan attempted to clarify what he describes as the “deliberate mischaracterization of [his] critique” of Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam, but despite a coordinated push by his Ontario caucus colleagues, he’s not prepared to apologize for his comments, which, as the Star reports, could lead to a vote on whether to eject him from caucus.

Is Team Trudeau ready to bring in a full ban on assault-style firearms? So says Radio-Canada, which suggests the new restrictions could be made public as early as Friday.

Finally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to provide an update on the crash of a Canadian Forces helicopter during his usual mid-morning media availability, with French media now reporting that “debris” from the chopper, which was “operating as part of a NATO surveillance force,” has “been found in the sea between Greece and Italy.”

ON AND AROUND THE HILL

Doctors Without Borders hosts an online press briefing to highlight the risks faces by irregular refugees, migrants and the stateless, which will include a plea for their release from detention centres, as well as a call for the Quebec and federal governments to ensure that they’re covered by the COVID-19 emergency support programs (10:30 AM)